Sports and Exercise Medicine - Physio

MSc ( 1 year Full-time )

Overview

The programme is suitable for physiotherapists, osteopaths and doctors.

This internationally renowned programme is open to doctors and physiotherapists. As the longest-established Sports and Exercise Medicine MSc in the country, we have a prestigious history. The programme is based on the philosophy of total care for the athlete and the promotion of physical activity in the general population. Working in sport is a largely practical discipline and the programme's emphasis lies firmly on regular clinical experience. You will benefit from regular contact with members of the Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine as well as visiting clinicians and lecturers who are experienced sport medicine specialists.

The Centre is ideally situated on the same campus as the sports injury, physiotherapy, podiatry and the interdisciplinary combined sports clinics. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to attend recognised external clinics around London, as well as the chance to attend sporting events and visits to national centres of excellence where possible.

Successful alumni have gone on to hold pivotal positions in sports medicine across the UK and internationally, including the Chief Medical Officer to the British Olympic Association and London 2012 and the Medical Director to the English Institute of Sport.

The Centre is renowned in the UK for its academic strength and excellence. Lectures are delivered by national experts; from cutting edge scientists to physiotherapists, doctors, and other health professionals working with world-class athletes.

An insightful video for prospective students interested in the Sports and Exercise Medicine programmes.

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This programme will:

Offer you mastery of foundation concepts and skills in Sports and Exercise Medicine.

Give you the knowledge and skills to assess sports injuries and to understand their treatment options, as well as understanding the physiological and psychological benefits of exercise and its use as a health tool.

Allow you regular clinical contact with athletes and sportspeople.

Introduce you to visiting lecturers, who are experts in the field of Sports Medicine.

Why study your MSc in Sport and Exercise Medicine at Queen Mary?

The Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine is based at the William Harvey Research Institute at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry is comprised of two world renowned teaching hospitals, St Bartholomew’s and The Royal London, which have made, and continue to make, an outstanding contribution to modern medicine. We were one of the top five in the UK for medicine in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.

This programme is the longest-established Sports and Exercise Medicine MSc in the country.

It is unique in the UK for the delivery of integrated academic and practical tuition. Lectures are delivered by national experts.

Core clinician-scientists on staff consult to elite athletes, we have an international research profile in Sports and Exercise Medicine.

Our staff will work closely with you to nurture your research interests and to develop your clinical ability in Sports and Exercise Medicine.

Many students also go on to publish in peer-reviewed journals, a reflection of the quality of our student research output.

Facilities

You will have access to Queen Mary’s comprehensive libraries, including the Postgraduate Reading Room, and The British Library can also be accessed as a research resource. We subscribe to many journals in sport and exercise medicine. You can access electronic journals online.

The Human Performance Laboratory (HPL) at QMUL combines the expertise of sports medicine clinicians, surgeons, engineers and sports scientists with state-of-the-art physiological testing and motion analysis equipment. This collaborative venture offers clinical, educational, research and athlete support service applications in the laboratory or field based settings.

The capabilities of the HPL can be broadly divided into two areas: musculoskeletal biomechanics and physiological testing.

Musculoskeletal biomechanics The HPL carries 4 Codamotion Cx1 infra-red scanning units that are used extensively for 3-dimensional motion analysis. This system is fully integrated with 2 ground embedded Kistler force plates and a 16 channel wireless EMG system. The integration of these systems allows for full analysis of movement, forces associated with movement and measuring muscular effort during movement. In addition, the HPL also boasts a 64 channel EMG system for multichannel work and an isokinetic dynamometer, which can be used for both research and rehabilitation.

Physiological testing Detailed analysis of pulmonary gas exchange can be made using an online gas analysis system, in addition to cardiac monitoring using a 12-lead ECG system, during exercise on a treadmill or the electromagnetically braked cycle ergometer. Measures can also be made out in the field, from simple tests of flexibility, strength, speed, power and cardiorespiratory fitness, to comprehensive measurement of expired air using the portable on-line gas analysis system.

Structure

Sport and Exercise Medicine is available to study to MSc, PG Diploma or PG Certificate level, full-time for one year, or part-time from two to four years.

To achieve the diploma you will take eight taught modules. To achieve the MSc you will also complete a research project (equivalent to four modules).

For all programmes attendance of 32 clinics is required.

Full-time

Undertaking a masters programme is a serious commitment, with weekly contact hours being in addition to numerous hours of independent learning and research needed to progress at the required level. When coursework or examination deadlines are approaching independent learning hours may need to increase significantly. Please contact the course convenor for precise information on the number of contact hours per week for this programme.

Part-time

Part-time study options often mean that the number of modules taken is reduced per semester, with the full modules required to complete the programme spread over two academic years. Teaching is generally done during the day and part-time students should contact the course convenor to get an idea of when these teaching hours are likely to take place. Timetables are likely to be finalised in September but you may be able to gain an expectation of what will be required.

Option modules

Sports Injury Management

Exercise as a Health Tool

Podiatry and Biomechanics

Exercise Physiology and Team Medicine

Football Medicine and Science

Dance medicine.

Practical Content

There are numerous in-house clinics, and many other NHS and private clinics in and around London are also utilised. Visits to national centres of excellence and sporting clubs are arranged where possible. You will be expected to attend a minimum of 32 clinics over the period of the course. The clinics run throughout the week in the mornings or afternoons, and part-time students need a degree of flexibility in their time off in order to be able to attend these.

Contact

Entry requirements

The course is aimed at qualified doctors, physiotherapists and osteopaths. All applicants need at least one year of clinical experience. If you are a physiotherapist with an overseas qualification, you must be registered with the Health Professions Council. Further details can be obtained from www.hpc-uk.org.

If English is not your first language, the School of Medicine and Dentistry require a minimum score of 6.5 IELTS.

International applicants

Students from outside of the UK help form a global community here at Queen Mary. For detailed country specific entry requirements please visit the International section of our website.

If you do not meet language or scholarly requirements it might be possible for you to undertake foundation or pre-sessional programmes that will prepare you for the masters programme. For more information, please contact the Admissions Office.

Learning and teaching

As a student at Queen Mary, you will play an active part in your acquisition of skills and knowledge. A variety of teaching and learning methods will be employed including; seminars, laboratory practice sessions, self-directed learning, one–to-one tutorials, case presentations, reading lists of books and journal papers. You are assigned an Academic Adviser who will guide you in both academic and pastoral matters throughout your time at Queen Mary.

Independent Study

For every hour spent in classes you will be expected to complete further hours of independent study. Your individual study time could be spent preparing for, or following up on formal study sessions; reading; producing written work; completing projects; and revising for examinations.

The direction of your individual study will be guided by the formal study sessions you attend, along with your reading lists and assignments. However, we expect you to demonstrate an active role in your own learning by reading widely and expanding your own knowledge, understanding and critical ability.

Independent study will foster in you the ability to identify your own learning needs and determine which areas you need to focus on to become proficient in your subject area. This is an important transferable skill and will help to prepare you for the transition to working life.

Assessment

The modules are assessed by a wide variety of methods, including controlled components (written exams) and coursework (essays, case histories).

Dissertation

If you are taking the MSc you will also be assessed on a 10,000-words dissertation. You must include original research, and the title and design of your research project must be approved by the course tutor. The research methods module will assist you in defining your research question and submitting for ethics committee approval. The research is submitted in the format of a literature review and a research article. The Centre hosts an Annual Scientific Conference at which students and invited speakers present their research. There is an award for the best student presentation.

Fees

Tuition fees for Home and EU students

2018/19 Academic YearFull time £8,900

Tuition fees for International students

2018/19 Academic YearFull time £17,950

Funding

There are a number of sources of funding available for Masters students.

These include a significant package of competitive Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) bursaries and scholarships in a range of subject areas, as well as external sources of funding.

Queen Mary bursaries and scholarships

We offer a range of bursaries and scholarships for Masters students including competitive scholarships, bursaries and awards, some of which are for applicants studying specific subjects.

Alternative sources of funding

Home/EU students can apply for a range of other funding, such as Professional and Career Development Loans, and Employer Sponsorship, depending on their circumstances and the specific programme of study.

Overseas students may be eligible to apply for a range of external scholarships and we also provide information about relevant funding providers in your home country on our country web pages.

Profiles

Sera Shoukro, MSc Sports and Exercise Medicine

What I enjoy most about the course is the integration of mixed specialities. There is a huge learning curve from hands-on physiotherapy and sports input, which is both challenging and rewarding. There is also a very good multidisciplinary focus.